Frequently Asked Questions
Orders & Shipping
How long does shipping take?
Most orders ship within 1–3 business days. Standard shipping within the US typically arrives in 5–7 business days. You'll receive a tracking email once your order ships.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! We ship internationally. If you don't see your country listed, please send us an email via our contact page. Delivery times and rates vary by destination. International orders may be subject to customs fees, which are the responsibility of the recipient.
Can I change or cancel my order?
We process orders quickly, so please contact us as soon as possible via our contact page if you need to make a change. We'll do our best to accommodate requests before the order ships.
How do I track my order?
You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number once your order leaves our hands. If you don't see it, check your spam folder or reach out through our contact page.
About Our Products
What comes in a kit?
Inside most of our kits you'll find:
- A hoop
- 2 pieces of fabric (one for stitching, one as backing)
- Felt backing
- An embroidery transfer pen (some of our designs come pre-printed so please check each kit's individual listing)
- Full skeins of DMC floss in the colors you need
- Embroidery needles
- A printed copy of the pattern
- A printed stitch and color guide
- A digital version of the full DIY pattern guide (via QR code), including YouTube tutorials, instructions for transferring the pattern, and how to finish your hoop
Please check the individual product listing for your design — a small number of kits have slight variations in what's included.
What is the difference between a kit and a PDF?
Kits are great for:
- Gifting — the kit arrives in a white box, ready to give. But we also offer ready-to-gift boxes for an additional fee.
- First-time stitchers who don't want to source their own supplies
- Anyone who doesn't have easy access to a craft store
PDFs are great for:
- Experienced stitchers who already have supplies on hand
- Someone who wants to stitch the same design multiple times
- The learner who wants to shop for supplies themselves and take their time
Are your designs Christian-themed?
Yes! The goal of Abide Embroidery Co. is to create embroidery patterns that help stir the believer toward God's Word to slow down, meditate and pray.
What skill level are your kits designed for?
Our kits are designed with beginners in mind. We have hundreds of reviews that praise our clear instructions that make them approachable for first-time stitchers. A large majority of our customers complete their very first project using the kit's PDF guide and our YouTube channel.
What type of needle comes in the kit?
Our kits include two embroidery needles sized for the project. If you prefer a different size or run low, any standard embroidery needle works. You can read more about our thoughts on needles here.
How long does it take to finish a kit?
A small beginner kit might take 3–5 hours total; larger or more detailed designs can take 10–20 hours or more. It's meant to be enjoyed slowly—there's no rush.
Are the kits good gifts?
They're one of our most popular gifts. Everything arrives in a packaged box, the designs are meaningful, and stitching is a grounding, meditative hobby. Great for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion.
Techniques & Getting Started
I've never embroidered before — where do I start?
Start with one of our beginner kits—everything you need (minus scissors) is inside. We have a growing YouTube channel with video tutorials walking you through every type of stitch offered in our designs. We also have a library of tips and tutorials on our blog.
How many strands of floss should I use?
All of our patterns will tell you exactly how many strands of floss to use.
What stitches do I need to know?
You don't have to know any prior to starting a project. For most of our kits you only need a handful: backstitch, satin stitch, running stitch, and French knots. And our video instructions walk through each one.
How do I do French knots?
They trip up most beginners at first—but once it clicks, it clicks. See our dedicated post: French Knots (Without the Fear).
How do I stitch text cleanly?
Text is one of the trickier parts of embroidery. Our post 5 Things to Do (and Not to Do) While Stitching Text covers the most common mistakes.
What is stick-and-stitch?
A technique using a water-soluble stabilizer—print or draw your design on it, stick it to fabric, stitch through both layers, then dissolve in water. We cover it in our stick-and-stitch tutorial.
How do I pick colors for my project?
Our kits include the floss you need, but if you're customizing, our post on picking colors for embroidery designs is a good starting point.
Digital Guides & Patterns
What are your digital guides?
Our digital guides are downloadable PDF patterns you can print and stitch at home. Perfect if you already have supplies, want to stitch on your own fabric, or want to try a design before committing to a full kit.
How do I access my digital download after purchase?
You'll receive an email with a download link immediately after purchase. The file is also accessible from your order confirmation page. If you can't find it, check spam or reach out through our contact page.
How do I print my pattern at home?
Print at 100% scale—don't use "fit to page." For circle-cut designs, see our guide on printing on circle-cut fabric at home. To print on a full sheet of fabric, see our guide here.
Can I use a digital pattern more than once?
Yes — for personal use, you can print and stitch a digital pattern as many times as you like. Please don't share, resell, or redistribute the files. With that said, you can share with those in your household (A mother and a daughter living at home stitching a pattern together can purchase one digital guide).
What is the Embroidery Transfer Pen for?
Our Embroidery Transfer Pen lets you trace a design. See it in action here.
Displaying Your Work
How do I display my finished embroidery?
The most common options are leaving it in the hoop, framing it in a photo frame, or mounting it in a specialty embroidery frame. Our Tips & Tutorials blog covers all three.
Can I frame my embroidery without a hoop?
Absolutely. See our post: How to Frame Your Embroidery in a Photo Frame — No Hoop Needed.
What is a Modern Hoopla Frame?
A clean, minimal display option without the traditional wooden hoop look. See our Hoopla assembly guide.
Copyright & Usage
Can I sell my finished hoop?
All patterns are created and copyrighted by Sarah Mesa with Abide Embroidery Co. Every design is for personal use only. Please do not sell the pattern or any finished pieces made from it.
Can I donate my finished hoop?
Yes — while you can't sell a finished hoop for profit, you're always welcome to donate it for a charity event, church event, or fundraiser (not for personal gain). When you do, please credit Abide Embroidery Co. however you can. Thank you!
Can I suggest a design?
We love hearing ideas! We read every suggestion and check it against our statement of faith before adding it to our list of possible designs. Making a suggestion doesn't guarantee it will be made, but we genuinely consider them all.
Returns & Issues
What is your return policy?
If something arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll make it right. Digital downloads are non-refundable once purchased.
My order arrived damaged — what do I do?
Reach out through our contact page with your order number and a photo of the damage, and we'll get a replacement sorted right away.
Wholesale & Partnerships
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes, we sell wholesale through Faire. If you're a retailer interested in carrying Abide products, please fill out our wholesale interest form or find us on Faire.
Will you donate an item to our retreat, event, or fundraiser?
Thank you for thinking of us! Please fill out our donation request form. We review all requests at the end of each month and will notify you the following month if you've been selected.
Do you offer custom designs?
Due to time constraints, we don't offer custom designs.
Do you offer bulk orders?
For bulk orders of existing products, please contact us and we'll see what we can work out.
Our Mission
What is Abide Embroidery Co.?
Abide makes faith-inspired embroidery kits and patterns for people who want to slow down, create with their hands, and meditate on God's word. We believe stitching can be a spiritual practice—a way to abide.
Why "Abide"?
The name comes from John 15:4—"Abide in me, and I in you." Every kit is designed to carry that meaning into your hands.